The Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), has expressed its endorsement for the region’s first specialised trade event for commercial vehicles.

Commercial Vehicles Middle East will take place from March 9 to 11 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and is organised by Streamline Marketing Group in association with Reed Exhibitions, one of the leading exhibition organisers.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of ATCUAE, said he expects the new trade event to help deliver more major growth for the industry in the region.

“This is already a thriving business in the Middle East, and all the signs point to a great deal of expansion over the next few years as the market recovers from the economic crisis and more manufacturers start production here,” he said.

“The UAE’s commercial vehicles market grew by 38.5 per cent between 2000 and 2005 and between 2007 and 2008 some regional distributors saw sales triple,” he noted.

“The commercial vehicles industry demands its own specialist regional showcase, and the ATCUAE is eager to actively support an event which will bring together the industry’s key players and lay the foundations for more growth.”

While the event is still eight months away it has already attracted confirmed participation from leading commercial vehicles manufacturers including Hino, BMC and Temsa.

“The global automotive industry has had a difficult year, but demand for vehicles in the GCC remains strong,” said Nick Webb, director of Streamline Marketing Group.
“Our event will provide the region’s first dedicated forum bringing buyers and sellers for this multi billion dollars industry together.”

Commercial Vehicles Middle East covers all types of heavy and light commercial vehicles, special vehicles, vehicle attachments, accessories, maintenance and repair services.

It will bring together decision-makers from every sector of the region’s road transport business, such as freight and logistics, emergency services, security, construction, public transport and public works.

The UAE is at the centre of regional growth in the commercial vehicles sector, largely due to the country’s expanding public transport requirements.

Two months ago Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced a $517.7 million deal for 518 buses to act as a feeder network for the Dubai Metro, while in April, the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport announced that it will add an additional 500 buses to its fleet by the end of this year.

Commercial Vehicles Middle East will feature an international conference, specialised seminars and workshops, an indoor vehicle display area and an exhibition featuring a comprehensive range of products and services from around 100 manufacturers.

The event is expected to attract more than 8,000 visitors, including key officials from regional transport authorities and other government departments. – TradeArabia News Service